[mooxe]

Plugin Modernization Project

Background: Plugins require many steps to install. Maps and data files were separated due to bandwidth and CPU issues 20 years ago. Todays bandwidth and CPUs eliminate these old problems and create an opportunity to modernize some plugins. The advantages of having an all inclusive plugin are straight forward. Less steps to install a plugin. Which means an easier integration of new players into mods. Other issues have also come up with modern computer creating even more steps.

Known CC5 Mod Issues:

1. Maps and data files are separated creating extra step to unzip and place files;
2. The default install path is now \Program Files (x86) vice \Program Files so a registry change is required;
3. Some mods required the Videos folder, which is not created by the CC5 main installer;
4. KG Müller operation, the accented u creates problem on some Windows versions; and
5. Config Manager requires the "run as administrator" option checked to modify files in the \Program Files (x86) folder.

Solutions:

1. Maps and data files can be combined. Install and uninstal scripts modified to copy and remove all maps. One step reduced.
2. A registry fix can be exported and easily run by users. This constitutes an extra step and can be further reduced.
3. This folder can be created with a batch file. This constitutes an extra step and can be further reduced and combined with solution #2 in a batch file.
4. KG Müller can be tackled two ways. Include the renaming with the batch file for solutions #2 & #3, or rename it with the plugin scripts using ? wild card.
5. Possibility to make Config Manger into an installer with a script giving admin rights to the shortcut.

Further Modernization:

6. Problems 2 thru 5 can be consolidated with the CC5 5.01a patch.
7. Do I make a plugin, an installer?

Progress as of 11 April 2021
The CC5 Stalingrad plugin has been republished with solutions #1, #2 and #4. Installation guide updated.

Progress as of 12 April 2021
GJS plugin consolidated with solution #1. Not published.

Progress as of 13 April 2021
All in one installer beta testing. New all in one installer testing has resulted in;
#2 Registry error fixed by installer
#3 Videos folder created by installer
#4 KG Muller fixed, KG Müller left in place?
#5 Config Manager installed, desktop shortcut link has admin rights
#6 readme.txt successfully uninstalled, repeat this script for all 5.01a files

Progress as of 14 April 2021
CC5 Patch 5.01a and issues #2 thru #6 consolidated and working in one mega patch.

Progress as of 15 April 2021
GOG CC5 comes pre-patched to 5.01a and has KG Muller fixed. Tested with Modernization patch and works fine.
CC5 Stalingrad plugin added to installer. Installer extracts PLN file into C:/Config Manager/Plugins (folder read from registry entry patch entered). No uninstall method from control panel, only from config manager.
CC5 patch 5.01a Modernization Patch complete and published

Progress as of 16 April 2021
CC5 GJS plugin scripts completed. Next step to make them into an installer and test.
GJS completed, install guide requires updating.
Utah is next, I need some easy mods for a break.

17 Apr 2021
Utah completed. Starting on Meuse.
Meuse completed.
Afrika completed.
Install guides updated.

18 Apr 2021
SAS and WW complete.
Add submods for Afrika.

22 Apr 2021

21 CC5 mods left to go.
Demo video for each mod?

25 Apr 2021

Add ggervox.sfx to Kharkov
Fix D-Day Index.mpi - its in chinese

[Tejszd]

For the Atomic releases the combining the plugins makes sense.

For the Matrix releases do you change to the installer since they all support the/D startup option?

[mooxe]

COI will need combining. I think Schrecken made all those plugins way back in the day. The Plugin is an EXE file that unzips a PLN file to the plugins folder. The maps I believe have to be manually installed.

COI may be a bit different though, doesn't it handle the maps folder differently than all other versions?

WAR/TLD/LSA section will have any existing plugins converted to installer. I am not even sure there are any to do.

PITF/GTC using installers.

RTB/CCM/CCMT are using plugins for what little is available and do not need any modernization.

Looking at the CC5 Stalingrad install.txt. Why are we copying the classic CC5 BTDs to another folder? Can't all map associated files co-exist in one folder as long as they are not named the same and the index.mpi reflects the mod installed?

[mooxe]

KG Müller is really messing this all up...

[Tejszd]

COI for maps is different in that the mod maps can be left in the COI maps folder and will appear in the editor for use for single battles, ops and campaigns.

A problem can occur if the maps require/use a different elements file than the standard COI elements file.

[mooxe]

I think I cracked the KG Müller problem to make plugins compatible with Atomic/GOG versions.

Back in 2018 GOG made a hotfix for their version of CC5 renaming KG Müller to KG Muller. Thereby rendering any plugin that moves KG Müller broken for GOG users.

Zeppo added some wildcards to Config Manager back in the day. The answer was simple and obvious the whole time...

copy $CC\Data\Ops\KG M?ller $ORG\KG Muller

The question mark is the wild card. It will find either the Müller or Muller and rename it to Muller. Now GOG users can use plugins with this fix.

[mooxe]

Here is the first mod complete as part of this little project...

http://www.closecombatseries.net/CCS/modules.php?name=Downloads&op=getit&lid=3324
 
Changes;

Data and maps included in one file;
KG Müller fix for GOG compatibility; and
Upon uninstall CC5 classic returned to original state (all mod files removed).

[ScnelleMeyer]

Wow Mooxe! Great work on fixing the compability issue for the GOG owners!

[mooxe]

Thanks, wish I could knock out a few more of the manual steps people have to take. The videos folder problem is one step that will just be ignored. GOG and Atomic versions require some registry editing. So have also included a registry edit you just have to download and run. This was also simple, you just have to use the export function from regedit.exe. These changes, so many years late....

GJS is next.

[dj]

Thanks Mooxe absolutely this makes sense.  Just wish there was easier way to use .exe for mods.  And then instead of case sensitive registry like the Mueller issue bypass that.  Like the dreaded video / cd / map not found error crash.  GOG really sucks though super buggy and mouse ghosting. Matrix rewrites or original Atomic versions much more stable.

[mooxe]

BATCH file that creates a videos folder and fixes registry "InstalledTo" path. Now if only I can just get this into the 5.01a patch to make it all in one....

[mooxe]

[mooxe]

New CC5 patch includes the following fixes;

·  CC5 Patch v5.01a
·  Registry fix changing Computer/HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/WOW6432Node/Mattel Interactive/Close Combat/5.00. location to C:\Program Files (x86)\SSI\Close Combat Invasion Normandy or your GOG location.
·  Videos folder Fix - Folder created at \Close Combat Invasion Normandy\Videos. This folder is required by some mods. With the folder created plugins can now include modded intro videos that were included separately before.
·  KG Müller Fix - The "ü" is causing problems for some Windows users. A new file "KG Muller" is added, "KG Müller" is deleted. This change will help mods install error free as well.
· Config Manager v1.3 - Config Manager will install to C:\Config Manager, a shortcut with admin rights will be added to your desktop named "CC5 Config Manager". If you already had Config Manager installed elsewhere, you can delete C:\Config Manager safely.
· Registry entry added for Config Manager at Computer/HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/WOW6432Node/Close Combat/Config Manager for plugin installers to recognize Config Manager's folder

If anyone can beta test it please do. Especially anyone not on Windows10 or operating Windows in any language other than English.

[mooxe]

Looks like mod intro videos shouldn't be added. The old error "Unable to open file for streaming" pops up, forcing you to disable videos. The original videos from the CDROM work though. I don't think this one is worth the effort to figure out.


http://www.closecombatseries.net/CCS/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=101#4

[mooxe]

Good Old Games CC5 comes with the 5.01a patch already installed, and the KG Muller problem fixed.

Installing the new 5.01a over top has no negative effect.

Since GOG CC5 does not make a proper registry entry, a user has to select the install folder when running the new patch.

[mooxe]

CC5 Gold Juno Sword plugin updated. Maps and data now all inclusive with installer.

[mooxe]

Utah completed.

Install guide added.

[mooxe]

Meuse 1940 completed.

Plugin is now all inclusive and comes with an installer. Install guide updated.

[mooxe]

Afrika 40-41 completed.

All inclusive plugin. Install guide updated.

[KG_Loki]

Works like a Dream, downloaded Meuse and Stalingrad they both work excellent!